UConn's Olander trying to take care of business

Updated 6:02 pm, Friday, October 11, 2013

STORRS -- When Tyler Olander was reduced to the role of spectator with the UConn men's basketball team, he did not need to look far for some friendly advice.

Ryan Olander did not play in the same media spotlight during his four seasons at Fairfield University, but he knew what life was like as a student-athlete and offered some advice for his younger brother.

"He told me to keep my head up, take care of business, do everything they ask me to and hit your academics hard," Tyler said. "(He added) prove to everybody that you want to be here and that you deserve to be here."

Even before he was reinstated by coach Kevin Ollie on Oct. 3 following a suspension for being arrested for driving without a license and a DUI (which was later dropped), the younger Olander tried to follow those words of wisdom.

"It was pretty difficult," he said. "(Basketball is) all I have done here for the past four years, so to get taken away was just an adjustment, but it did its purpose.

"I did what I had to do and the things I had done were selfish, and if I really want to be a part of this, which I do, I need to change that."

Ollie did his homework on Olander before making the decision to reinstate the 6-foot-10 senior forward less than a week after practice had started. The coach was pleased with what he found out.

"I'm more happy with Tyler because I am checking every appointment that he has and I'm checking every class that he has," Ollie said. "I could really care less about the energy here. If he's not showing the energy off the court, than he's got a problem with me."

The Huskies are hoping the return of Olander along with junior DeAndre Daniels and some of the younger players can give their work on the boards a boost this season. Rebounding drills have been a major part of practices, with the Huskies using a 2-on-2, box-out drill Friday to help hone their craft.

"That's one of the keys," Ollie said. "That's definitely a point of emphasis, make sure we do better because I know we have a team that's very athletic, very versatile, and if we can get out on the fast break, we can do a lot of damage."

In addition to trying to correct the damage done to his image, Olander spent the time away attempting to recover from off-season surgery on his left foot.

"I was working out a lot and I still had to see (UConn trainer) James (Doran) to rehab my foot," Olander said. "I was around, but other than that I was just doing stuff by myself."

The layoff might have slowed Olander down, but he seems to be holding his own since returning to practice.

"You can just tell he's not just coming back off his surgery," junior point guard Ryan Boatright said. "He looks good for what he can do on that foot. I think a little more rehab he'll be able to get off the floor higher and quicker, and he'll be back to his old self."

Prior to the reinstatement, Ollie called Olander into his office and told the senior that he trusted him.

"It feels good and it's rewarding that there's always another chance," Olander said. "Someone will always be looking out for you and sometimes you have to pay the consequences for the things you have done wrong.

"I'm just real thankful to have people in my life like coach Ollie, who see the good in me, want me to succeed and give me the opportunity to be out here."